Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is central to the values of the School of Sociology and the wider UCD community.
Academic integrity requires every member of the academic community at UCD to act ethically, honestly and fairly. A lack of academic integrity in any sphere of university activity undermines the credibility and value of all that UCD does and of the awards that it makes to students. Every member of the UCD community shares responsibility for upholding the academic integrity values that underpin our scholarly practice in teaching, research, and student learning; activities that underpin the foundations of our intellectual community at University College Dublin.
(opens in a new window)Academic Integrity - Notes on Referencing, Citation & Avoiding Plagiarism, Plagiarism Defined and Academic Integrity
Appeals & Grade Checking
The School employs an informal grade checking process to students who may be dissatisfied with their provisional exam result, or who suspect that an incorrect grade has been awarded. In these circumstances, students should submit a query with the school in relation to the technical accuracy of the grade by emailing the module coordinator. Students may also wish to view their examination script and if so, they should email (opens in a new window)sociology@ucd.ie. The School Office will then contact the student with a proposed date and time for this viewing.
Students should note that this is not requesting a reassessment of the awarded grade but a technical check only that the grade awarded by the examiner was the one entered into the grade system. Students who have received the results of the technical check and who are still dissatisfied may proceed to make a formal appeal.
Further information and applications forms to request an appeal are available to download from this site or from the UCD Assessment Appeals Office.
Contact:
Student Engagement, Conduct, Complaints and Appeals Office
L112, James Joyce Library Building
Email: (opens in a new window)assessment.appeals@ucd.ie
Tel: 01 716 7132
Student Academic Misconduct Policy
To support students and staff in maintaining the highest standards of ethical academic practice, the School of Sociology follows UCD’s Student Academic Misconduct Procedure. The information below outlines how the University defines, identifies, and responds to academic misconduct, and what students can expect if concerns arise in relation to their work.
The Student Academic Misconduct Procedure sets out how UCD addresses suspected breaches of academic integrity ensuring fairness, transparency, and consistency throughout the process. It defines a wide range of misconduct—such as plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, contract cheating, misrepresentation of authorship, inappropriate use of digital tools (including unauthorised AI), and other behaviours that undermine honest academic work. The policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of Module Coordinators, School Academic Integrity Committees, and other university bodies, and details how allegations are reviewed, how decisions are reached, and what penalties or supports may follow. It also sets out students’ rights to respond, be supported, and appeal decisions under specified grounds, ensuring that all cases are handled with procedural fairness and respect.
Sociology Intranet
You can view policy and regulations specific to the UCD School of Sociology on the School's (opens in a new window)Intranet. You will need to be logged in to your ucdconnect account in order to access the site.